1
as in democratic
of, relating to, or favoring political democracy
having rid itself of the yoke of colonialism, the new nation chose to be a self-ruling state
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
was granted special status as a self-ruling province
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Recent Examples of self-ruling
In recent years, Beijing has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan – a self-ruling democracy the Chinese Communist Party claims as its own despite having never governed it.
—
Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-ruling
Adjective
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Trump’s embrace of Putin also alienated many democratic allies in Europe, especially those most threatened by Russia.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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This election will likely be remembered as a beacon during a turbulent sea of democratic backsliding, restoring the values of a city which was built on immigrant innovation and an ethos of inclusion.—
Newsweek Contributors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Democratic Senators Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted for the bill, along with independent Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with Democrats.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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The European Union and independent electoral monitoring organizations such as the Carter Center and the Colombian Electoral Mission also backed the opposition’s claim.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Clockwork manicure was not as comprehensive as what 10Beauty looks to deliver, though absorbing the company’s data has accelerated 10Beauty’s own device and helped the company better understand what will and won’t work in autonomous services.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
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The company is already exploring applications in other high-volume settings such as hospitals, universities, and factories, and has even partnered with Ukraine’s BRAVE1 defense technology program to test autonomous meal preparation for soldiers in the field.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Nigeria is the latest to issue an African sovereign debt note, despite concerns about debt distress on the continent.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Norway's sovereign wealth fund argued that Musk's new shares in the company would diminish existing shares, NBC News reported.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Lisa and Meredith have a separate conversation about whether or not Meredith’s been sticking up for Lisa enough this season.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
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The state holds its Congressional elections every other year, along with the rest of the country, but does hold statewide off-year elections on a separate schedule from New Jersey or Virginia.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-ruling. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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